WFI unlikely to conduct Olympic selection trials; quota winners to directly compete in Paris Olympics 2024: Reports
According to the reports in The Tribune, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is unlikely to conduct the selection trials for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024, scheduled from July 26 to August 11.
Earlier, Sanjay Singh, the newly elected president of the federation, stated that they were aiming to follow in the footsteps of the previous body and conduct the trials on June 10. However, after receiving requests from three quota wrestlers, the federation is unlikely to go ahead with the trials.
Notably, Olympic quota winners Aman Sehrawat (57kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), and Nisha Dahiya (68kg) wrote to the WFI, requesting not to conduct the trials, citing injury concerns before the quadrennial event.
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to take the final decision on May 21
It’s important to note that the WFI is about to take the final decision on Tuesday May 21, when the selection committee meets in New Delhi.
If the committee moves ahead and gives the green signal to Aman, Anshu and Nisha’s requests, Vinesh Phogat will not be a part of the bout, with Antim Panghal in the 53 kg weight category.
For the unversed, most recently, in a social media post, Vinesh requested the Sports Ministry, the Indian Olympic Association, the Sports Authority of India, and the WFI to finalize the dates, venue, and format for the trials soon.
Nevertheless, Vinesh Phogat will still be directly competing in the Paris Olympics 2024 as she secured her quota in the 50 kg weight category. Importantly, India clinched a total of six quota places for the upcoming mega event in wrestling.
Antim Panghal won the quota last year in the Wrestling World Championships after securing a bronze medal, while three wrestlers, including Vinesh, secured the spots at the Asian qualifiers in Bishkek last month. Meanwhile, Aman and Nisha clinched the berths at the World Olympic qualifiers this month.
Indian wrestlers with quota places for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024:
Aman Sehrawat (men's freestyle 57kg), Antim Panghal (women's 53kg), Vinesh Phogat (women's 50kg), Anshu Malik (women's 57kg), Reetika Hooda (women's 76kg), Nisha Dahiya (women's 68kg)